By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — Gasps filled the House of Representatives on Thursday as longtime Rep. Paul Baumbach, a Newark Democrat, announced he would not seek re-election this fall.

First elected in 2012, Rep. Baumbach had spent the bulk of his recent legislative efforts working on the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee, crafting legislation to ensure state retirees receive high quality care and to address the state’s $8.9 billion liability for pensioner coverage

“Serving the residents of the 23rd house district and the state of Delaware for the past 12 years has been a tremendous privilege and honor. I’m intensely grateful …” said an emotional Rep. Baumbach, who was joined by his wife Pamela in front of the chamber’s dais. “During these 12 years, I devoted an incredible amount of time, energy and dedication.”

After Rep. Baumbach’s announcement — which came to the surprise of dozens of members — colleagues on both sides of the aisle took time to praise the lawmaker’s accomplishments and wish him luck in his next chapter of life.

“Some initial words come up; professional, thorough, diligent, a statesman, honest, willing to listen, a true professional in this role,” said House Minority Whip Lyndon Yearick, R-Magnolia.

“We can agree to disagree, but the professionalism that you bring and brought is a testament to how we should all interact, because we’re more aligned as human beings than we are with policies or legislation.”

In the ongoing session of the 152nd General Assembly, the Newark Democrat chairs the House Finance Committee and serves on the economic development, health, natural resources, technology and transportation committees.

During this time, Rep. Baumbach has led numerous efforts that result from his work on the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee.

Two of those measures – House Bills 281 and 282 – await action from Gov. John Carney and would respectively repeal the state’s ability to solely offer a Medicare Advantage plan for pensioner care and improve transparency on the State Employee Benefits Committee.

In May, Rep. Baumbach introduced four other bills to carry out the subcommittee’s recommendations.

These measures include increasing prefunding for the $8.9 billion Other Post-Employment Benefits liability and raising the required years of service to receive a higher percentage of state cost share on health insurance premiums; all four passed committee Wednesday and await consideration on the House floor.

One of Rep. Baumbach’s hallmark legislative initiatives, House Bill 140, would extend end-of-life options to mentally capable, terminally ill Delaware adults who have six months or less to live to be able to request and receive medication to peacefully end their suffering.

The Newark Democrat has worked on the bill, known as “The Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Law,” for several years, and it now awaits a final vote in the Senate to become law. The legislation is named in honor of two advocates who passed away without end-of-life care options.

As lawmakers fought through emotions to honor Rep. Baumbach’s service, he shined a light on the new generation of lawmakers – current and future – and the importance to support these individuals in their work.

“Please remember to aim high, to listen more than you speak; to embrace change critically. Please welcome new members, for they will likely be here when you are gone, and your future depends on their success,” Rep. Baumbach said. “Our greatest strength is really our growth, our change and our turnover; our improvement.”

Department of Elections